Construction leaders, educators, policymakers and industry representatives gathered at St Clare’s Hall in Manorhamilton for the first event in a new GRASP Masterclass series focused on the future of construction.
Hosted by Future Cast, the event explored the technologies, skills and sustainable practices expected to transform the construction sector during the next five years.
The Masterclass was delivered as part of the €9.8 million Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP), a cross-border initiative led by South West College and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Participants heard from construction and sustainability specialists before taking part in practical demonstrations covering Building Information Modelling and Digital Twins, drones, robotics and other technologies already changing how buildings are designed, constructed and maintained.
The programme also included contributions from representatives of Sisk, Harcourt Technologies, KORE Retrofit and CITB NI, alongside education, training and industry partners from across the region.
JJ O’Hara, CEO of Future Cast, said:
“The construction industry is changing at pace, and the purpose of this Masterclass was to provide participants with a clear understanding of both the progress made to date and the direction in which the sector is moving over the next five years.
“By bringing together industry expertise, education partners and practical demonstrations, we were able to show how green skills, digital tools and new technologies will become increasingly embedded in everyday construction practice. Preparing the workforce for that change must begin now if the sector is to remain productive, competitive and sustainable.”
GRASP has been co-designed and is being delivered by nine partner organisations across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Its central objective is to address the growing green skills gap within construction and support the transition towards a more sustainable built environment.
The programme aims to provide accredited training to more than 2,000 construction operatives, technicians and managers by the end of 2028. Training covers areas including retrofit, energy efficiency, photovoltaic systems, renewable technologies, heat-pump installation and maintenance, Passivhaus standards and digital construction.
Martin Kenny TD for Sligo–Leitrim, who delivered the keynote address, said:
“The transition towards a low-carbon economy presents a significant opportunity for communities and businesses throughout this region, but that opportunity can only be realised if people have access to the right skills and training.
“GRASP is providing a practical and collaborative response to that challenge. By connecting education providers directly with employers and industry, the programme is helping to develop a workforce capable of delivering more sustainable buildings, adopting new technologies and supporting quality employment across the border region.
“Events such as this are particularly important because they allow industry, policymakers and educators to share knowledge and ensure that training continues to reflect the realities of a rapidly changing sector.”
Alongside its accredited courses, GRASP is delivering several targeted initiatives designed to widen participation and build a long-term pipeline of green construction talent.
These include the Women into Construction Academy, a Labour Activation Academy for people who are unemployed or economically inactive, a schools outreach programme, the Living Smart household education programme and work to support cross-border apprenticeship development.
More than 300 participants were enrolled on accredited GRASP courses at the time of the Masterclass, while its schools programme had already engaged more than 1,000 students across 28 schools.
Siobhan Ferguson, GRASP Programme Development and Delivery Manager at South West College, said:
“GRASP represents a coordinated cross-border response to one of the most pressing challenges facing construction: ensuring that the workforce has the skills required to support decarbonisation and a more sustainable built environment.
“The strength of the programme lies in its partnership approach. Education providers, industry representatives and regional organisations are working together to develop training that is practical, accessible and directly aligned with current and future workforce needs.
“This first Masterclass demonstrated why that collaboration is so important. It allowed participants to engage with technologies that are already transforming construction and helped ensure that GRASP remains responsive, relevant and focused on delivering lasting impact for individuals, employers and communities.”
The event marked the beginning of a wider GRASP Masterclass series being delivered by programme partners in collaboration with Future Cast. The series will showcase expertise in green skills and construction while strengthening connections between education, industry and policy.
Further information about GRASP courses, training and future events is available at www.graspproject.com.